News & Events

The Hicatee Turtle – Belize’s National Treasure

Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), Turtle Survival Alliance, and partners are once again observing October as Hicatee Awareness Month. Throughout the month, activities and events will celebrate the beloved Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii) ‚Äì locally known as the Hicatee. This year’s message encourages national pride of this rare and unique species by establishing the Hicatee as the national reptile of Belize.

The Hicatee turtle is the only living species in an ancient family dating back 65 million years. It is so resilient that it outlived the dinosaurs. Once widespread, the Hicatee is now critically endangered due to overhunting and in desperate need of greater protection and innovative conservation actions.

As stated in the Belize 2016-2020¬†National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), “Belize harbours a total of 118 globally threatened species (9 critically endangered, 32 endangered and 77 Vulnerable) and a further 62 near threatened / of least concern (IUCN, 2016). Of these, the critically endangered Central American river turtle (“hicatee”) is considered at highest risk of local extinction.”

The Hicatee’s main predator is man. In effect, this turtle is being eaten to extinction across its limited range. Although, it is believed that the Hicatee still exists in very small populations in northern Guatemala and southern Mexico, its stronghold is in Belize. Therefore, the future of the species is up to the choices we make as individuals and as a country.

As the country’s national reptile, the Hicatee’s public status would be elevated and the stage would be set for national pride of this rare and unique species. Just as the Tapir and Toucan are revered and protected due to their status as the national animal and national bird, the Hicatee would be revered and protected if recognized as the national reptile.

To prepare educators for Hicatee Awareness Month, BFREE distributed educational packets to 100 preschools and primary schools in Cayo and Belize Districts ‚Äì areas in which Hicatee have historically been found. Packets included classroom resources like activity pages and fact sheets about the Hicatee and other valuable and endangered wildlife found in Belize. “Herbert the Hickatee,” a book written by Ms. Gianni Martinez, teacher at St. Mary’s School in Belize City, is featured in the packets. Also included is a national competition for students to design the 2019 Hicatee Awareness Month poster.

All packet materials are available online for download at¬†www.bfreebz.org. Special additions to the online packet include a poem for kids “I am a Hicatee Hero,” by Mr. Jaren Serano, alumnus of Sacred Heart Junior College in Cayo, and the 1 ¬Ω minute video trailer for “Hope for Belize’s Hicatee: Central American River Turtle,” created by wildlife filmmakers, Richard and Carol Foster, of Belmopan.

With the second Hicatee Awareness Month, we are encouraging our Belizean and global partners to unite to help save this species from extinction. By making this our national reptile, future generations and leaders will recognize the important cultural and historic value of the Hicatee turtle – Belize’s National Treasure.

The hicatee is disappearing, but together we can save it.

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PRESS RELEASE of the

Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) www.bfreebz.org

Contact: Heather Barrett,¬†[email protected]